September 2021
An award-winning teacher, Mike Masaracchio has been a valuable resource for physical therapy students at Long Island University. Mike’s 20-year career in orthopedic physical therapy is split between two jobs, one at an orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy clinic, and the second as Chair of the Physical Therapy Department at Long Island University. Mike has used his passion for teaching to help physical therapy students grow professionally and personally. Read more about Mike’s work in this month’s Member Spotlight
Enjoy the Q&A with Michael below.
1. How long have you been a member of NYPTA?
My membership with the APTA/NYPTA started in 1998 as a student physical therapist. Therefore, I have been a member for 23 years.
2. What do you enjoy most about NYPTA?
While there are many benefits for members, for me the most enjoyable part is getting involved to help shape and develop the future of our profession.
3. Tell us a little about your background, and how your path led you to where you are today.
I have been a practicing PT for 20 years. My career started out as a staff PT in an outpatient, orthopedic and sports medicine clinic, Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy. I currently still work there on a part-time basis. I began my teaching career as an adjunct in 2002, teaching Gross Human Anatomy. In 2006, I transitioned to a full time clinical faculty line at Long Island University. I completed my TDPT from Creighton University in 2005 and began my PhD in 2006 from Nova Southeastern University, completing it in 2011. During that time, I also began my Fellowship in Orthopedic
Manual Physical Therapy from Regis University and completed this in 2013. In 2014, I transitioned to a full time tenure track line at Long Island University and spent the next 5 years working towards tenure, which I received in 2019. My teaching responsibilities included anatomy, biomechanics, and the musculoskeletal and sports medicine content.
In 2018, I was awarded the David Newton Award for excellence in teaching, and on January 1, 2019 I became the Chairperson of the Department of Physical Therapy. I now continue to teach in the musculoskeletal curriculum, but have recently been focusing on more administrative duties. Most recently, I started my Educational Leadership Fellowship with the APTA and will graduate in July of 2022. Within the NYPTA, I served as the Brooklyn/Staten Island Chapter Director over the last several years, and currently serve as the Program Committee Chair.
4. What’s the most rewarding part about your work and what are some challenges?
The most rewarding part of my daily work is watching students grow both personally and professionally, as well as experiencing first hand, patients working to improve their quality of life. My current challenges include continuing to develop and grow our DPT program at Long Island University in the most cost-efficient way.
5. What is a typical day like for you?
My typical day/week involves coming to LIU each day. This may include teaching responsibilities on certain days, as well as meetings, research development, and my administrative duties as Chair. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, I continue to be involved in patient care at Masefield and Cavallaro PT. This includes treating patients, updating staff on evidence-based practice, and mentoring orthopedic residents and fellows in training.
6. Who is one of your role models and why?
In my life, I have had many role models. The first role models have been my parents for setting the bar high and demonstrating, by example, how to be successful, while remaining humble and kind. In addition, Dr. Stacy Gropack has always been there for knowledge, inspiration, and confidence building. I met Stacy as a student attending Long Island University. She set a great example early on in my career as a compassionate and effective teacher and leader. Through the years, she has been my colleague, supervisor, and Dean, but most importantly a friend and role model that no matter how busy she is, always has time to provide guidance and endless support.
7. What’s the most important trend you see today?
In our great profession of physical therapy, the most important trend I currently see is the ability to incorporate health services research into practice models. We need to continue to define productivity in all practice areas and incorporate health services research, with other data to develop innovative, sustainable models of care, that assist in combating the student debt crisis for physical therapists.
8. What advice would you give NYPTA members who are new to the profession and want to make a difference?
Get involved. Be open minded to new tasks and challenges. Continually challenge yourself to become a better person, clinician, teacher, mentor, parent, etc. Change is inevitable, get involved and continue to push the profession forward through lifelong learning and mentorship.
9. How do you make time to volunteer and be active in groups you’re involved with?
Time management is a critical component to every professional life. It takes work to manage a schedule and allot time for all the necessary tasks in a day, week, or year. This happens by first creating strong support system around you. This can be your family, as well as colleagues. Second, there must be a sense of motivation to get involved. One must realize that change can only happen through collaboration, process, patience, and persistence. I see volunteering as part of my professional life and, therefore, it gets dedicated time.
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